Melbourne, Dec 6: Pandemic-related restrictions have forced Cricket Australia (CA) to change the venue of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes.

The fifth Test that was originally supposed to be played at the Perth Stadium will now be relocated, with the replacement venue yet to be named.

Cricket Australia, in their statement, said that “border controls, quarantine requirements and the complexities of staging a five-Test series in a tight schedule” were reasons that prompted them to change the venue.

The Ashes is set to commence on 8 December at The Gabba in Brisbane. The action will then move to Adelaide Oval for the second Test on 16 December before Melbourne Cricket Ground hosts the Boxing Day Test. The first Test of the new year between the two sides will take place in the Sydney Cricket Ground on 5 January.  CA will announce the venue for the final Test in due course.

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said: “We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the WA Government, relevant agencies and Perth Stadium over recent months.

 “We are very disappointed that we are unable to stage the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test at Perth Stadium. We did everything we could in partnership with the WA Government and WA Cricket to make it work under the current border and health arrangements, but unfortunately this was not possible.

“We are particularly disappointed for Western Australian cricket fans who were so looking forward to seeing the first ever Ashes Test at the new stadium.

 “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the WA Government, Perth Stadium and WA Cricket to hold upcoming BBL matches and the Dettol ODI v New Zealand in Perth and thank them for their continued support.”